Inspired by the 16th Century Charity House called The Six Poor Travellers House in Rochester England by Richard Watts in 1579 to provide free lodging for poor travellers, Charles Dickens wrote himself into the story as the Seventh Traveller. The Seven Poor Travelers is the fifth Christmas number, from 1854, of his journal Household Words.

This story was read by WBAI producer Frank Coffee on December 28, 1968.

The Six Poor Travellers House from which this story derives it's name is still open today.